We seek to ensure that all women and 2SLGBTQ+ people in the capital punishment system have access to the highest quality representation that recognizes and serves their distinct needs.
This means ensuring that all teams have access to the support and services they require to provide such representation. In so doing, we seek to advance the capital defense community’s understanding of gender sensitivity, bias, and heterosexism in capital punishment, and thereby raise the bar as to best practices when serving women and 2SLGBTQ clients.
How do we do this?:
Disrupt and dismantle heterosexism and anti-2SLGBTQ bias in capital punishment systems.
Challenge police and prosecutorial bias at every stage of prosecution, from arrest through post-sentencing confinement.
Support clients while incarcerated pre-trial or post-conviction with a focus on the specific risks, challenges, dangers, and resilience of women and queer people.
Provide culturally competent representation and support to women and queer clients, guided by the principles of intersectionality, interconnectedness, affirmation, and compassion, and eliminate discrimination originating within defense teams.
Build community within the capital system and across other communities devoted to advancing equity for women and 2SLGBTQ people in the carceral system.
Present narratives that center the lived experiences of our clients and affirm their right to fully exist as complex, multidimensional, and whole individuals.